Travel Update 26-06

Effective February 6, 2026, the Out-of-Country travel rules, previously located at 80 Ill. Adm. Code 2800.610, are repealed. As a result, the reimbursement of per-diem expenses for all official out-of-country travel is now governed by the provisions found in 80 Ill. Adm. Code 3000.500 (Per Diem Allowance). The following guidance is being issued by the Governor’s Travel Control Board (GTCB) in order to ensure employees and Travel Coordinators are utilizing the proper data sources when determining the appropriate reimbursement rates for locations of travel.

1. Travel within the Contiguous 48 States: Travel within the 48 contiguous states of the United States (or “the continental United States”; “CONUS”) has not changed and will continue to be informed by the guidance stated in Travel Update 24-07. Rates applicable to such travel may continue to be found at the GSA site through the following link: https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates
   1. Lodging – Travelers may be reimbursed for their actual lodging rate (up to the maximum Lodging amount listed). If you attend a conference, you may be reimbursed for the rate of lodging at the conference if those hotels are selected as conference hotels. Per Section 2800.400 - Conference Lodging.
   2. Local Meals Rate – Travelers receive the full local meal rate for each day of travel. However, on the first and last day the traveler will receive 75% of the per diem amount.
   3. When a meal is provided at no cost to the traveler.
      1. Traveler will deduct the appropriate meal rate per GSA Per Diem Meal Table.
      2. However, complimentary meals, meals provided by a common carrier (e.g., airline) or complimentary meals offered by a hotel/motel do not affect the per diem allowance.
2. Hawaii, Alaska, and all U.S. territories are considered outside the continental United States (“OCONUS”), and, per federal travel regulation, we will follow the Department of Defense (DoD) per diem rates for lodging, meals, and incidentals.
   DoD rates can be accessed here: Per Diem Rate Lookup | Defense Travel Management Office
   
   How to Apply the DoD Per Diem Table
   1. Local Meals Rate – Travelers receive the full local meal rate for each day of travel. However, on the first and last day the traveler will receive 75% of their total MI&E rate.
   2. When one or two meals per day are provided at no cost to the traveler.
      1. Proportional Meal Rate – The proportional meal rate applies only when one or more meals are provided, at no cost to the traveler.
      2. However, complimentary meals, meals provided by a common carrier (e.g., airline) or complimentary meals offered by a hotel/motel do not affect the per diem allowance.
3. Out of Country (international) travel, per diem rates must be taken from the U.S. Department of State website: U.S. Department of State | Home Page
   1. Lodging – Travelers may be reimbursed up to the maximum lodging rate listed for the location.
   2. Meals, Incidentals, and Expenses (M&IE) – Travelers receive the full M&IE rate listed on the State Department Table. However, on the first and last day the traveler will receive 75% of their total MI&E rate.
   3. When a meal is provided at no cost to the traveler.
      1. Traveler will deduct the appropriate meal rate per DOS website Breakdown of Meals/Incidentals
      2. However, complimentary meals, meals provided by a common carrier (e.g., airline) or complimentary meals offered by a hotel/motel do not affect the per diem allowance.
4. All three of these websites will be listed on our Travel Guide Website for State Employees. https://cms.illinois.gov/employees/travel.html 

If you have any questions regarding this update, please contact the Statewide Travel Coordinator at CMS.Travel@illinois.gov.